Meet Your Ballroom Dance Instructors
At Columbus Dance Centre, students learn from experienced instructors who combine championship-level DanceSport experience, professional training, and a passion for teaching. Whether you are a complete beginner, preparing for a wedding, learning social dancing, or pursuing competitive goals, our instructors provide personalized lessons designed around your goals.
Svetlana Iskhakov -
Lead Dance Instructor
Why Learn from Svetlana?
Svetlana Iskhakov is the Founder and Lead Instructor of Columbus Dance Centre and one of the most accomplished ballroom dance professionals in the United States. With decades of teaching, coaching, and competitive experience, she has helped hundreds of students—from complete beginners and wedding couples to social dancers and competitive athletes—achieve their dance goals.
Competitive Achievements
Svetlana has represented the United States at the highest levels of DanceSport, including:
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Represented the United States at the World Professional 10-Dance Championships in Japan (2003)
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3rd Place Finalist – U.S. Professional 10-Dance Championships (2003)
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Quarter-Finalist – Blackpool Dance Festival Professional Rising Stars Latin (2002)
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Champion – Ohio Star Ball Professional Rising Star Latin-American (1999)
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Champion and Finalist at numerous prestigious DanceSport competitions, including the Emerald Ball DanceSport Championships and Heritage Classic Championships
Education & Professional Credentials
Svetlana earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Ohio State University, building on her earlier dance education at the University of Culture in Moscow, Russia. She is also an NDCA member and an ISTD Certified Dance Instructor, reflecting her commitment to the highest professional teaching standards.
Coach & Mentor
In addition to teaching at Columbus Dance Centre, Svetlana travels throughout the United States as a coach, performer, and mentor. She has served as Head Coach for both The Ohio State University Ballroom Dance Team and Kenyon College Ballroom Dance Team, and is regularly invited to judge and perform at collegiate ballroom competitions across the country.
Recognized Expertise
Svetlana's achievements and contributions to ballroom dance have been featured in numerous publications, including the Columbus Dispatch, The New York Times, ThisWeek Community News, Columbus Alive, and Gahanna News.
Whether your goal is to prepare for a wedding, gain confidence on the dance floor, enjoy a new hobby, or compete at a high level, Svetlana brings world-class experience, personalized instruction, and a passion for helping every student succeed.
Sergei Bakalov -
Dance Instructor
Why Learn from Sergei?
Sergei Bakalov is a Dance and Fitness Instructor at Columbus Dance Centre with more than two decades of experience helping students discover the joy of dance, improve their movement, and achieve their personal goals. His unique background combines professional dance instruction, fitness expertise, and a deep understanding of body mechanics, making his teaching approach both effective and personalized.
A Lifetime of Dance & Movement
Sergei began his dance journey at the age of 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he trained in Hip Hop and Break Dance. After years of performing, competing, and teaching, he moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2001 and discovered his passion for Ballroom and Latin-American dancing.
Today, Sergei specializes in Ballroom, Smooth, Latin, Rhythm, Wedding Dances, Social Ballroom Dance, and competitive DanceSport, teaching adults and children, couples and singles, from complete beginners to experienced dancers.
Fitness & Coaching Expertise
Sergei graduated from the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sport in Israel in 1998 and brings more than 25 years of experience in strength training, bodybuilding, and personal fitness coaching. His knowledge of posture, balance, flexibility, and movement helps students become stronger, more confident dancers while learning in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Sergei was also featured as one of several fitness experts in the book Unleash the Body Within: Real World Advice from Top Personal Trainers, sharing his expertise in health, fitness, and personal wellness.
Helping Students Achieve Success
Throughout his teaching career, Sergei has coached students to success at ballroom dance competitions, where they have earned championship titles, finalist placements, and DanceSport scholarship awards. Whether a student's goal is to prepare for a wedding, learn social dancing, improve fitness, or compete, Sergei provides personalized instruction designed around each student's needs and goals.
His work and achievements have been featured in publications including the Columbus Dispatch, ThisWeek Community News, Columbus Alive, and Gahanna News.
With a passion for teaching and a unique combination of dance, fitness, and coaching experience, Sergei helps students build confidence, improve their skills, and enjoy every step of their dance journey.
Andrey -
Piano & Dance Instructor
Meet Andrey
Andrey is a talented pianist and competitive ballroom dancer whose dedication to music, dance, and performance has led to outstanding achievements at both national and international levels.
Excellence in Music
Andrey has studied piano under the guidance of Nina Polonsky since 2020, developing exceptional technical skill, musical expression, and artistic discipline. His accomplishments include:
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First Place – 2024 Venetia Hall Concerto Competition
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2023 & 2025 CMTA Achievement Awards
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Second Place – 2024 American Virtuoso Competition
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Second Place – 2024 CMTA Achievement Awards
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Alternate Finalist – 2023 Buckeye State Piano Finals and 2024 Ohio MTNA Competition
In 2022, after receiving Honorable Mention at the Piano Star Grand Finals, Andrey was invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2025, he received the Platinum Award at the AADGT International Young Gifted Musicians Competition "Passion of Music" in Japan, earning an invitation to perform at the prestigious Suntory Hall in Tokyo.
Andrey has also participated in masterclasses with internationally recognized pianists, including Alexander Kobrin and Marina Lomazov, continuing to refine his artistry and musicianship.
Dance & Performance
In addition to his accomplishments in music, Andrey is an accomplished competitive ballroom dancer. Training with Svetlana Iskhakov, he has achieved success in Pro/Am Ballroom competitions at both local and national levels.
Andrey is a six-time Ohio Star Ball World Pro/Am DanceSport Series Teen Ballroom Champion, combining musicality, discipline, and performance experience to bring a unique perspective to the dance floor.
Through both music and dance, Andrey represents the values of dedication, creativity, and continuous growth that inspire students at Columbus Dance Centre.